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The variety of cultural contexts around the world makes one curriculum unsuited for all global areas. Each region of the world will develop specific curricular requirements, providing the educational foundations for ministry in a way that reflects the resources and the expectations of that global area. Approval of the International Course of Study Advisory Committee, the General Board, and the Board of General Superintendents will be required before implementing a regionally designed program. Even within global regions there are varieties of cultural expectations and resources. As a result, cultural sensitivity and flexibility will characterize regional provisions for the educational foundations for ministry, which shall be directed and supervised by the District Ministerial Studies Board. Cultural adaptations of each region’s program for providing educational foundations for ministry will be approved by Global Clergy Development and the International Course of Study Advisory Committee in consultation with the regional educational coordinator. (529.5)

A validated course of study, together with the necessary procedures concerning their completion for those seeking a credential as elder and deacon or certification in categories and roles of ministry, are to be found in the regional Sourcebook on Ordination.